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No product line so typifies an army/navy store as does military outerwear. Whether for military use, outdoor work or street fashion, the MA-1, M-65, peacoats, N3B and N2B parkas and similar garments identify the industry.

Although military outerwear sales remain strong, the market has been influenced by global warming, which has encouraged manufacturers to use lighter weight materials, and the economic downturn, which has induced people to keep their old winter coats for more seasons.

“The end customer is not spending the money on a heavy winter coat that he will be wearing, perhaps, one month of the year. He is keeping a heavy coat for more years and buying a new one less often,” commented Ted Statharos of Rothco.

In response, retailers are ordering later in the season.

Statharos notes that the popularity of Rothco’s short jackets, a strong seller for several years, has as much to do with warmer winters as with fashion. Rothco has adapted some of its classic military jackets, including the MA-1 to create an intermediate fleece jacket which, said Statharos, almost looks like an MA-1 sweater jacket. He noted that the jacket features a traditional orange lining and pockets on the left side.

Crew neck commando sweaters are another popular item. Rothco is introducing a reversible zip-up version with sleeve patches and polar fleece lining. Also new from Rothco is a quarter zip commando sweater with cloth elbows, shoulder patches and a triangular leather patch.

OUTERWEAR WEARS WELL

Rothco has enjoyed success with its line of vintage garments including vintage flight jackets, which Statharos describes as “almost a cotton MA-1 in a washed distressed look with slanted pockets on sleeves, lots of brass snaps and zippers.”

Peacoats remain a successful fashion garment, year in and year out. Rothco has done particularly well with distressed cotton vintage peacoats in black, OD and khaki.

Alpha Industries has supplied the government and civilians with military apparel since 1959. In commemoration of a half century in business, Alpha has introduced a 50th anniversary jacket combining washed nylon and heavy twill. Alpha spokesman Lee Aaron describes the coat as a combination of an MA-1 and 45P and an N2B. It is available in a numbered, limited edition.

But authentic military outerwear is Alpha’s specialty. The company is the world’s largest supplier of military outerwear, said Aaron.

“We have a wide range of best sellers based on the end customers,” he said, noting that Alpha’s products serve both military and civilian markets.

In the fashion end, washed cotton M-43 and M-51 are classic best sellers, while the MA-1, 45P and M-65 are top sellers in the more casual wear market.